James Peter Gummeson

James Peter Gummeson, 38, of Exmore, passed away at his home on Monday, May 4, 2009, with his wife, family, and friends by his side. The fifth of seven children, James was born February 15, 1971 in Poughkeepsie, New York. He relocated to the Eastern Shore of Virginia with his family in 1985. James dedicated himself as one of Jehovah's Witnesses on May 8, 1988 and was a member of the Exmore Congregation. After graduating from Northampton High School in June 1989, he went on to work for Super Fresh in Exmore for a short period of time before pursuing the trade he loved, carpentry. James worked as a skilled carpenter until February 2008. He met his wife, Sarah, at a cookout in July 2002, and they married November 29, 2003 in Virginia Beach, Va. They chose to spend their lives together residing on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. They were married for over five years when he passed away. Other than his wife, Sarah of Exmore, he is survived by his parents Jo Marie and Matthew Gummeson of Exmore; five brothers, Mark Gummeson and his wife Helen of Snow Hill, N.C., Bruce Gummeson and his wife Aracely of Onancock, Va., John Gummeson and his wife Sharon of Birdsnest, Va., Joel Gummeson and his wife Kesha of Parksley, Va., Benjamin Gummeson of Exmore; a sister, Mary Griffin of Jonesboro, Ar., his grandmother, Mary Blood of Belle Haven, Va.; six nieces, three nephews, two great-nieces, and one great-nephew, as well as his mother and father-in-law, Frances and John R. Whitman, of Norfolk, Va.; two brothers-in-law, Philip Whitman and John T. Whitman and his wife Sage, all of Norfolk. James' family would like to thank all the friends who showed their support to him and his wife, over the last year, especially those of Exmore Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, and the Ocean View Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses of Norfolk. They would also like to thank all the nurses and volunteers of Hospice and Palliative Care of the Eastern Shore, for all their time and support in making James comfortable through the end of his life. A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 9th at 11:00 a.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Exmore, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of the Eastern Shore, 165 Market St., Suite #3, Onancock, VA. 23417. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com Arrangements made by Doughty Funeral Home, Exmore.